A mass spectrometer, MS, 100 is described. The MS 100 comprises: a first chamber 110, comprising a set of ports P close able by respective doors, for receiving sample plates including respective unique device identifiers, UDIs, therein and/or there through, wherein the set of ports P includes a first port P1 having a first door D1 and a second port P2 having a second door D2; a second chamber 120, fluidically couple able with the first chamber 110 via the second port P2, wherein the second chamber 120 is fluidically coupled to and/or comprises an ion source 130, an analyser 140 and an ion detector 150, for mass spectrometry of samples included on the sample plates received therein; and an imager 160, coupled to the second chamber 120, configured to image the UDIs of the sample plates; a controller 170 configured to control the imager 160; wherein the MS 100 is arrangeable in: a first arrangement, wherein a first sample plate 1A of a set of sample plates 1 is received in the first chamber 110 via the first port P1, wherein the first door D1 is open and wherein the second door D2 is closed, and wherein the first sample plate 1A includes a first UDI U1A of a set of UDIs; a second arrangement, wherein the first sample plate 1A is in the first chamber 110, wherein the first door D1 is closed and wherein the second door D2 is closed; and a third arrangement, wherein the first sample plate 1A is received in the second chamber 120 via the second port P2, wherein the second door D2 is closed; wherein the controller 170 is configured to control the imager 160 to image the first UDI U1A of the first sample plate 1A, when the MS 100 is arranged in the third arrangement.

A mass spectrometer, MS, 100 is described. A mass spectrometer comprises: a set of chambers, for receiving sample plate holders therein and/or therethrough, wherein the sample plate holders are arranged to hold respective subsets of sample plates therein and/or thereon and wherein the sample plate holders include respective identifiers, wherein the set of chambers is fluidically coupled to and/or comprises an ion source, an analyser and an ion detector, for mass spectrometry of samples included on the sample plates received therein; a reader configured to read a first identifier, of a set of identifiers, included on a first sample plate holder, of a set of sample plate holders, optionally including a first sample plate, of a set of sample plates, held therein and/or thereon, received in the set of chambers; and a controller configured to control the reader to read the first identifier of the first sample plate holder received in the set of chambers.

Technology for analyzing collections of substance samples. Systems in accordance with the disclosure can include one or more sample handlers, sample capture devices, mass analysis instruments, and controllers; the controllers being operative, in accordance with instructions received from at least one of an operator input device and machine-interpretable instructions stored in memory accessible by the controller, to generate signals configured to cause the sample handler to collectively retrieve from a sample source a plurality of samples of one or more substances, and deliver the plurality of collected samples to the at least one sample capture device; cause the sample capture device to independently capture at least one of the collectively retrieved samples delivered by the sample handler, and transfer the at least one captured sample to a mass analysis instrument; and cause the mass analysis instrument to ionize and detect one or more particles of the transferred treated sample.

A new form of trace sampling system which is configured to be employed in-line with a conventional conveyor-based imaging scanner, removing the need for a manual sampling substrate to be used with a mass spectrometry detection or mobility spectra detection system. The system is designed to enable rapid sampling without the need for the use of an external sampling medium such as a swab. Manifolds present within a chamber of the conveyor present evaporators and air heaters oriented towards objects to be sampled. The evaporators, via radiation, convey the sample vapor via a vacuum to a detector to analyze the vapor for selected variables.

Methods and systems for automated slide handling for imaging applications are described herein. In certain aspects, an automated slide handler may be operatively coupled to a slide hotel and/or one or more imaging systems described herein. The automated slide handler may be a robotic arm with up to 6 degrees of freedom. Automated slide handling may include sample preparation, such as sectioning and staining. Suitable imaging systems include a fluorescence microscope or an imaging mass cytometer. Methods and systems disclosed herein enable high throughput profiling of tissue sections.

A sample feed device is provided, including: a body; a sample tray provided on the body; a moving part provided on the body and capable of reciprocating on the body, and the moving part provided with a transfer chamber, the transfer chamber capable of receiving a sample from the sample tray and transferring the sample to an analyzer with the movement of the moving part; a processing system provided on the body, and capable of performing helium gas purging and vacuum processing to the sample. The sample feed device may feed the sample automatically through relay transfer of the sample by the sample tray and the moving part. The processing system may perform the helium gas purging and vacuuming to the sample, which strips adsorbate on the surface of the sample by the helium gas purging, and removes the stripped adsorbate on the surface of the sample by vacuuming.

Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.

A mass spectrometer includes: a probe having an electric conductivity; a probe moving unit configured to move the probe; a high voltage application unit configured to apply a high voltage to the probe located at an ion generation position where the tip of the probe is apart from the sample, so as to generate an ion from the sample adhered to the probe, the ion originating from a component in the sample; and a sample holding unit that includes a sample holder having a plurality of concave portions, each configured to hold the sample, and a base configured to hold the sample holder in a removable manner, the base including a mechanical element configured to move the sample holder in order to sequentially move each of the plurality of concave portions of the sample holder to the sample collection position.

Methods for preparing a biological sample for testing by Maldi where such methods are selected based on sample parameters. Maldi scores are obtained for a range of sample parameters (e.g. McFarland, dispense volume and number of dispenses). From the data, sample preparation parameters can be selected for a biological sample being prepared for Maldi testing. One sample preparation strategy uses multiple dispenses of sample with an intervening drying step, which yields more accurate Maldi scores, particularly for samples at the low range of McFarland values (e.g. below about 2).

Methods for preparing a biological sample for testing by Maldi where such methods are selected based on sample parameters. Maldi scores are obtained for a range of sample parameters (e.g. McFarland, dispense volume and number of dispenses). From the data, sample preparation parameters can be selected for a biological sample being prepared for Maldi testing. One sample preparation strategy uses multiple dispenses of sample with an intervening drying step, which yields more accurate Maldi scores, particularly for samples at the low range of McFarland values (e.g. below about 2).